Strawberry Shortcake Layer Cake

This strawberry shortcake layer cake is packed with strawberries and frosted with whipped cream; it tastes just like strawberry shortcake, but it’s a little more fluffy!

This Sunday is the anniversary of the best decision I ever made. Before Cookie, there was Goldilocks, the most amazing creature that has ever walked this earth.

No hyperbole.

August 26, 2008, I signed my Goldie-bear’s adoption papers. Because she was a pound puppy I didn’t know her actual birthday so we celebrated on her adoption day. Every year of her life I had a big party, complete with a fancy cake and a big dinner.

And every year she acted like it was just another day, and like the party hat I made her wear was some kind of imposition. And like she wasn’t excited to open her presents. She was so blasé about the entire day! Except the food. She definitely loved all the treats she got on her bday.

Here she is on her first trip up to Washington. She loved beach days far more than birthdays.

Goldie died of cancer last year but I resolved to celebrate her birthday every year anyway; I like to think that up in heaven, my grandma is baking Goldie’s cake right now, and setting up for a huge birthday bash.

Down here on earth, this year’s cake is a layer cake-ified version of strawberry shortcake, because berries were one of Goldie’s favorite treats.

Back home in Oregon, I always made endless batches of freezer jam in the summer and jam day was Goldie’s, well, jam.

One June I brought home a flat of the season’s first strawberries and set them on the kitchen table while I went to change into old clothes (because jam day is messy).

I came back not even two minutes later and Goldie had pushed a chair out from under the table, jumped up on it, and was seconds away from climbing onto the table to eat the berries.

It was the cutest thing EVER. Discipline is not my forte so instead of a reprimand I gave her extra berries.

I am of the firm belief that dogs are angels God sends into our lives to teach us about love. Goldie taught me patience, and how to love without limits, and how to be strong in the face of devastating losses. Because of her I’m a better person, and certainly a better mom to my little Cookie. (Cookie often requires patience that only my sweet Goldie possessed but I’m working on it.)

This strawberry shortcake layer cake is made simple with a box cake mix but if you have a favorite white or yellow cake recipe, you can totally use it. I’m still searching for my ideal white cake. Just be sure to plan enough time for the cake layers to chill once you pour the strawberry filling over the top; they need to refrigerate for at least four hours.

Happy Thursday, from me and my fur babies :). If you have some time this weekend, make yourself a strawberry shortcake layer cake. It’s worthy of the face plant I’m sure Goldie would have made right into the middle of that ridiculous whipped cream frosting.

PS, if you make this cake–or any of my recipes–be sure to let me know what you think with a comment and a rating below. And post a pic on Insta too. Tag @theitsybitsykitchen so I can see your beautiful creations!

This strawberry shortcake layer cake is packed with strawberries and frosted with whipped cream; it tastes just like strawberry shortcake!

Course:
Dessert

Cuisine:
American

Keyword:
cake, strawberry

Servings: 8

Author: Kelsie

Ingredients

Cake:

118-ounce white or yellow cake mix + ingredients to make the cake

Filling:

2/3cupwater

4tablespoonsstrawberry gelatin

1/2cupgranulated sugar

2 1/2cupshulled and sliced strawberries

Frosting:

1pintheavy cream

3/4cuppowdered sugar

1teaspoonvanilla

additional 1/2 cup hulled and sliced strawberriesfor garnish

Instructions

Cake:

Spray 2 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and spray the paper with additional cooking spray. Set pans aside.

Mix and bake the cake according to directions on the box. Cool cake layers completely on a wire rack.

Filling:

Once cake layers are cool, combine the water, strawberry gelatin, granulated sugar, and the 2 1/2 cups of berries in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and cool for 10 minutes.

Poke 25 to 30 holes in each of the cake layers with a large-pronged fork or wooden skewer—don’t go all the way through the cake. Pour half of the gelatin mixture over each cake layer. Cover cake pans loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Frosting

When you’re ready to frost your cake, place the heavy cream in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer set to low speed. When heavy cream has thickened a bit, gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue beating on low speed until mixture holds soft peaks, then turn mixer to medium and beat until it holds stiff peaks.

Carefully remove one of the cake layers from the pan and set strawberry-side up on a cake stand. (Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen; if you’re afraid the cake will break in half when you remove it, freeze the layers for 20 to 30 minutes.)

Spread about 1 cup of the heavy cream into an even layer on top of the cake. Top with the remaining cake layer, strawberry-side down. Frost the cake with the remaining whipped cream and garnish with remaining 1/2 cup of sliced berries. Serve and enjoy.

Related

Comments

This cake looks so delicious – love layer cakes! So cute that Goldie stole the berries off this cake – I think I would have given her extra berries for stealing too, she looked so pretty & lovely! So sorry for you loss – I have always had furry friends in my life, currently have two of them that I love dearly and very much know how hard it is to let them go.

I couldn’t agree with you more about dogs, Kelsie! We are absolutely a dog family here, and while our pups get a little less attention now thanks to a certain toddler, they are still very much spoiled. In fact, I should make them a batch of homemade treats this weekend. It’s been quite a while since I’ve done that! I’m so sorry to hear about Goldie’s cancer. That just sucks. But it sounds like Cookie is doing her best to channel Goldie’s spirit! And as far as this cake goes, I’ll take 2 slices. Do you deliver? 🙂

I don’t have a dog, but I understand how tragic a dog’s loss is :(. Goldie sounds like a cute darling!! It’s so sweet of you to make a cake in his memory Kelsie! The cake looks so soft and berrilicious! Totally yummy and fluffy!

So sad, yet so heartwarming at the same time! I’m sure Goldie is up in heaven watching you and Cookie every day and she is eating lots and lots of treats (or berries ;)).
This cake looks beautiful, Kelsie! I could totally eat this for breakfast right now and considering that it is almost Friday I think that is totally acceptable 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!

I’m sorry for the loss of your precious Goldie, Kelsie. I love the image of your grandma and Goldie having a birthday celebration up in heaven. It’s very sweet and comforting. I have been watching The Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry. If anything, it reassures that our loved ones (even pets) live on after they have passed and that they are always with us. This cake looks beautiful!! You can’t beat strawberries and cream (and cake)!

Our fur babies are the best! I’m so sorry Goldie is no longer with you—she was one adorable puppy. I think I need to make a strawberry shortcake cake in her memory (plus my family would go crazy for it!!).

I grew up devouring Strawberry Shortcake, but I’ve never had a strawberry shortcake layer cake. Happy Adoption anniversary, Goldie-bear looks like such a sweetie. She adds lots of love and value into your life.

Awwwww! This post totally touched my heart, girlfriend. I love that you celebrate Goldie-bear every year, and I KNOW shes up there in puppy heaven waiting to one day be reunited! As someone who has lost a fur baby, I completely understand the joy they bring into our lives and the devastation that ensues when they pass on to a better place. It’s refreshing to hear you celebrate Goldie’s life and all the wonderful memories you guys shared!!! Hard to transition after that, but, I’m thinking this cake is the PERFECT way to celebrate a love so special! Strawberry shortcake is an all time favorite of mine, so I love that you turned it into a layer cake! I could devour this in one sitting. NO JOKE! Looks AMAZING! Cheers to you and to Goldie-bears anniversary! XOXO

Thank you so much, Chey! I knew you’d get it :). We had dogs growing up but Goldie was my first who was just mine and I couldn’t believe how different it was! Can you even imagine life without your fur baby? I shudder to think of it. Hope you had a fantastic week and have an awesome weekend!

How sweet that you celebrate Goldie’s birthday every year! Our furry friends bring so much happiness into our lives, don;t they?! Strawberry shortcake is one of my favorite summer desserts Kelsie, so you are speaking my love language with this cake! Sounds delicious! And looks beautiful!

This is the sweetest post of yours I’ve read so far. I also believe that certain creatures enter our lives to teach us how to handle ourselves and our pain better. All we need to do is notice them and embrace them. Even if they try to eat all the berries:) I love that you gave Goldie even more – why would you need to reprimand her? She was just following her nature, it was part of her. Love that you made her such a thoughtful cake.

Kelsie, we lost our Jaida almost a year ago. She was a huge part of our family and I spoiled her way too much, but I couldn’t help it! I think about her everyday and how she filled my life with joy while she was with us. Goldie would be so proud! Good mommy! 😀

Aw, so sorry about Goldie 🙁 This is a wonderful tribute to her. I still make a cake every year on my Dad’s birthday too – I think they are eating a piece along with us in spirit!! Beautiful tribute, beautiful cake!!

Oh they are so cute, dogs can hold such a special place in our hearts that’s difficult to fill once they have gone. I still miss all the doggies that have passed on that I’ve had in my life. This is a lovely cake to remember yours with.

What a sweet story Kelsie…it makes my heart break hearing that she died last year. Making a cake every year is a great way to celebrate her memory and this cake is beautiful! I’m a total dog person so I get it!

Sad to hear about Goldie, but I think celebrating her birthdays is a great idea, Kelsie! Besides a cake makes everything better, even sad events/memories. Although I’m not a huge fan of strawberry desserts/cakes, I would definitely sample some of this (And by “sampling” I mean 3-4 large slices). Also, you’ve reminded me I’ve wanted to make lamington cakes for years. Well, maybe you can make it and ship some to me?:)

Goldie sounded like an absolute sweetheart, it’s never easy losing a pet but i love how you remember her each year 🙂 I adore dogs and can’t wait to have my own hopefully soon. this cake looks beautiful!!!! i love how the colour of the strawberry just pops!

I love love love strawberries, and Strawberry Shortcake layer cake looks so dang good! Pretty sure Goldilocks would have loved it! So great that you celebrate her birthday – they really are angels. They do just get us in ways other people don’t.

Awww Kelsie….I am so sorry for your loss. Goldie-bear looks so gorgeous and full of fun. The loss of a precious fur baby is so sad, as they become our babies. Happy Anniversary on the adoption day of Goldie. You bet your grandma baked her the best cake ever with loads of berries <3
Hugs my friend, and for your special kind heart .x